RINGED GUILLEMOT. 353 



slender than that of the Connnon Guillemot, which would 

 scarcely be expected to happen if the Brunnicirs Guillemot 

 were one of the parents ; and secondly, by the well-known 

 fact that the Ringed Guillemots are abundantly fertile, breed- 

 ing by themselves. 



But M. Temminck, in his fourth part already cited, fur- 

 ther says : — " M. Thieneman, qui a egalement parcouru 

 rislande et le Nord, dans le but d'etudier les productions 

 de ces contrees, est d'avis que ces oiseaux ferment trois 

 especes distinctes ; il indique meme des differences con- 

 stantes dans la couleur des aufs."" In reference to the value 

 of the opinion of M. Thieneman, I can quote that of Mr. 

 Proctor of Durham, who, having visited the breeding-stations 

 of these birds at Iceland, agrees with him precisely. 



I am indebted to Mr. Proctor, the subcurator of the 

 Durham University Museum, for the opportunity of ex- 

 amining specimens of these three Guillemots, all brought 

 from Iceland, and obtained at the same time. Mr. Proctor 

 went to Iceland a fcAV summers since to collect birds, and 

 on enquiring for the Ringed Guillemot, was told by fisher- 

 men that they knew the bird very well, and that it would 

 be found breeding at Grimsey, an island about forty miles 

 north of Iceland. An arrangement to visit Grimsey was 

 made, and on reaching the island the species of Guillemots 

 were found then breeding on the different rocks, and were 

 considered by the inhabitants of the island to be distinct 

 species. Brunnich's Guillemot was the most numerous, and 

 was called by them Stutne^a. The Common Guillemot 

 was the next in order of quantity, and was called Langnejia. 

 The Ringed Guillemot was the least numerous, and its name 

 was Hringlangnejia. The eggs of all the three species 

 were obtained, and the distinctions between them well known 

 to these fishermen, who separated them, when put together, 

 without difficulty or hesitation. The eggs of the Ringed 



A'OL. III. % A 



